Nifca and Molta plate folders

Nichidoku Shashinki Shōten and later Molta Gōshi-gaisha (the predecessors of Minolta) made a series of 6.5×9cm plate folders from 1930 to the war. This page only concerns the folding bed models. See also the Nifca-Dox and the Minolta strut folders.

General description

All the Nifca and Molta folding bed plate folders have a metal body. There is a swivelling brilliant finder attached to the lens standard and a folding frame finder. The lens standard slides on two rails and focusing is done by a wheel placed on the right, the distance scale being on the left.

The various models differ by the focusing mechanism, the movement abilities and many minor details. Their name is not displayed anywhere on the camera itself.

Nifca period

Nichidoku used the brand name "Nifca", coming from Nichidoku Foto Camera. Nichi in Nichidoku means Japan, and it is certainly not coincidental that "Nifca" can also be read as Nippon Foto Camera. The Nifca range consisted of the Nifca Klapp and Nifca Sport folding bed models, in addition to the Nifcarette 4×6.5 rollfilm camera and the Nifca-Dox strut folder.

The Nifca Klapp

The Nifca Klapp (ニフカクラップ) is the less advanced model. It was released in 1930. ("Klapp" [kurappu] was the standard Japanese term for a camera whose lens collapsed without being folded.) It has a longitudinal focusing wheel and no movement ability. The frame finder has a round black eyepiece. The folding bed is held in closed position by two pins and is opened by pressing two buttons simultaneously, one at each side of the body.

An anonymous Japanese source reproduced in Tanimura gives the following list of lens and shutter combinations:

• Wekar Anastigmat 105/6.3 lens, Vario shutter, 25–100 speeds;
• Wekar Anastigmat 105/6.3 lens, Ibsor shutter, 1–125 speeds;
• Wekar Anastigmat 105/4.5 lens, Ibsor shutter, 1–125 speeds;
• Wekar Anastigmat 105/4.5 lens, Compur shutter, 1–200 speeds.

This list probably comes from some original advertisement. It is said that the price ranged from ¥39 to ¥69. Francesch gives a similar list but adds a fifth variant, with the Vario shutter and a Nifcaplan 105/6.3 lens, probably because he observed the surviving example having such combination.

Only two pictures are known for sure to depict this model. Both show a Vario shutter, with 25, 50, 100, B, T speeds selected by a wheel at the top. One is a reproduction of a retouched advertising picture, published in various collectors books. The lens is a 105mm f/6.3 made by Kenngott but its name is not legible. The other is found in Sugiyama and shows a surviving example. The lens engraving is W. Kenngott Anastigmat Nifcaplan 1:6.3 F=105mm. Curiously the two cameras have a very close lens serial number, in the 503xx range. A third camera, pictured in this page of a Japanese blog, is perhaps a Nifca Klapp.

The Nifca Sport

The Nifca Sport (ニフカスポーツ) is a more advanced model. It was released in 1930. It has the same body as the Nifca Klapp with the same folding struts and the same closing mechanism. The focusing wheel has a more usual transverse disposition and the focusing rails are more precisely machined, certainly providing double extension. There is some vertical and horizontal movement ability.

The same anonymous Japanese source gives the following list of lens and shutter combinations:

• Wekar Anastigmat 105/4.5 lens, Ibsor shutter, 1–125 speeds;
• Wekar Anastigmat 105/4.5 lens, Compur shutter, 1–200 speeds;
• Nifcar Double Anastigmat 105/4.5 lens, Compur shutter, 1–200 speeds.

The same list is given by Francesch. It is said that the prices were ¥75, ¥85 and ¥90.

This model is again known from one retouched advertising picture and one surviving example. The advertising picture, reproduced in various collectors books and websites, shows a dial-set Compur shutter with a small plate marked Nifca Photo under the speed setting wheel. The lens is engraved Wekar-Anastigmat and the lens diameter probably indicates an aperture of f/4.5. The only well-known surviving example belonged to the Minolta Gallery in the 1980s and it is probably still the property of the Konica Minolta company. It is pictured in Sugiyama and Francesch. It is easily recognized because it lacks the front wireframe of the sportsfinder (the rear eyepiece is still present). It has a Compur shutter and reportedly a Wekar 105mm f/4.5 lens.

Molta period

The company became Molta Gōshi-gaisha in 1931 and the name Nifca was consequently abandoned. The same year, a range of four folding bed models was introduced.

The Sirius

Sirius n°75692, Heliostar Anastigmat 105mm f/4.5 lens n°79355, Koilos shutter. Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)

Description

Double extension bellows. (Image rights)	Focusing worm-screw. (Image rights)

The Sirius (シリウス) is the simplest model. It seems to be a continuation of the Nifca Klapp. The main difference is the double extension bellows. The longitudinal focusing wheel is replaced by a worm screw and a bubble level is attached to the right of the brilliant finder. The shutter is a dial-set Koilos giving 25, 50, 100, B, T speeds.

Advertising

The Sirius was advertised with a Heliostar Anastigmat 105mm f/6.3 lens and three plate holders for ¥40. It seems that the advertised camera has the same closing mechanism as the Nifca models, with a button on each side of the body.

Koilos shutter,
Heliostar Anastigmat 105mm f/6.3 lens.
(Image rights)

Surviving examples

Two surviving examples are known, both with a Heliostar Anastigmat 105mm f/4.5 lens and a new closing mechanism: the folding bed is held in closed position by a spring attached to the body, engaging a slit in the focusing board. One is pictured in Sugiyama and Francesch. The name Molta is engraved at the bottom of the lens standard, together with the serial number 7422x. A Nifca Photo nameplate is visible under the speed wheel. The camera was thus made during the Nifca-to-Molta transition period. The lens number is 7427x. The viewfinder eyepiece is similar to that mounted on the Nifca models.

The other example is pictured on this page. It has the body number 75692 and lens number 79355. The frame finder has a new type of eyepiece with a mostly rectangular shape. The camera has a film pack adapter, embossed Molta.

The Arcadia

The Arcadia (アルカディア) is a more advanced model. It has different focusing rails and a transversal focusing wheel. Horizontal and vertical movements are available. The shutter is a rim-set Lidex giving T, B, 1–200 speeds, made by the Molta company. This shutter challenges the Magna by Seikōsha for the title of first Japanese leaf shutter. The shutter plate is marked Lidex at the bottom and has the MTS logo on the right; it is sometimes marked Patents Pending at the top. The lens is a Heliostar 105/4.5, engraved Heliostar Anastigmat München. It is said that the price was ¥40.

Two slightly different variants are known. One has the same folding struts as the previous models and a nearly rectangular wireframe. The other has new folding struts with a more elaborate design and a new wireframe with a cut-off for the brilliant finder.

The Eaton

The Eaton (イートン) is reported by various sources but no picture has ever been observed. It seems to be a version of the Arcadia with a Coronar 105/4.5 lens and a Crown A shutter giving T, B, 1–200 speeds. It is said that the price was ¥40, but possibly it was never sold.

The Happy

Happy n°6647, Coronar Anastigmat Nippon 105mm f/4.5 lens n°103001, Crown B shutter. Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)

Serial number inside the back.
(Image rights)

Description

The Happy (ハッピー) is nearly identical to the late Arcadia variant, with the new folding struts and the cut-off in the wireframe for the brilliant finder. The main visible difference is the absence of horizontal movements and the new shape of the handles used to pull out the lens standard after opening. The serial number is engraved inside the back.

At least one example is known with a different finder eyepiece, consisting of a rectangle mounted on a small arm and a different wireframe (the latter is perhaps not original).

Crown B shutter, late shutter plate,
Coronar Anastigmat 105mm f/4.5 lens.
(Image rights)

The Happy has a Coronar Anastigmat 105mm f/4.5 lens, made by Asahi Kōgaku (later Pentax). It was the first lens made by that company. The Happy and Eaton were among the first cameras entirely made in Japan, lens and shutter included. The shutter is a version of the Crown made by Molta itself, either a Crown B giving T, B, 5–200 speeds or a Crown S with an added self-timer. On the early examples, the shutter plate is all black, engraved Patents-Nippon at the top and CROWN at the bottom with an MTS logo on the right. On later cameras, it has three metal strips on each side, is engraved PATENTS–NIPPON at the top and has no MTS logo. It has a larger aperture scale screwed to the bottom, inscribed with the name CROWN.

Advertising

Happy. The pictured model has the Crown B shutter with no self-timer. Extract from a leaflet dated about 1936. Scan courtesy of Andrea Apra. (Image rights)

The Happy was the longest-lived member of the family. Said to have been released in 1931, together with the Sirius, Arcadia and Eaton, it was advertised at least until 1939.

The camera was distributed by Asanuma Shōkai. Advertisements dated April and July 1935 offered the model with Crown B shutter for ¥55 and the model with Crown S for ¥65. The leaflet reproduced in this page, dating about 1936, shows the same prices.

Bibliography

Original documents

• Molta Gōshi-gaisha. Danzen kesshutsu shita kokusan kamera (断然傑出した国産カメラ, Definitely excellent Japan-made cameras). Leaflet dating about 1936. Document owned by Andrea Apra and reproduced here in rebollo_fr's Flickr space.

Recent sources

• Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Items 179 and 269.
• Baird, John R. The Japanese Camera. Yakima, WA: Historical Camera Publications, 1990. ISBN 1-879561-02-6. Pp. 37–9.
• Francesch, Dominique and Jean-Paul. Histoire de l'appareil photographique Minolta de 1929 à 1985. Paris: Dessain et Tolra, 1985. ISBN 2-249-27685-4.
• Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp. 45–7 and 182.
• McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pp. 671–2.
• Scheibel, Anni Rita and Joseph. 70 Jahre Minolta Kameratechnik — Von der Nifcalette bis zur Dynax 9. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 3rd edition, 1999. ISBN 3-89506-191-3. Pp. 8–9.
• Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 1181 and 1183–7.
• Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Supuringu kamera <semi minoruta>" (スプリングカメラ<セミミノルタ>, "'Semi Minolta' self-erecting camera"). Kamera Rebyū Bessatsu: Kurashikku Kamera Senka / All about Historical Cameras, no. 12, October 1988 (special issue on Minoruta kamera no subete [ミノルタカメラのすべて, Minolta history]), pp. 19–24.
• Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Minolta I-gata to II-gata." (セミミノルタⅠ型とⅡ型, "Semi Minolta I and II") In Camera Collectors' News no. 116 (February 1987). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
• Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Minolta I-gata to II-gata (sono 2)." (セミミノルタⅠ型とⅡ型(その2), "Semi Minolta I and II (part 2)") In Camera Collectors' News no. 118 (April 1987). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.

Links

In English:

• Minolta folding cameras in the Manual Minolta website

In Japanese:

• Nifca Sport and Arcadia in the Map Camera Museum
• Nifca Sport and Arcadia in the Kitamura Camera Museum
• Arcadia and Happy in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
• Wekar 105mm f/4.5 lens and Ibsor shutter mounted on a 6.5×9cm plate folder, perhaps a Nifca Klapp, at Noyan's blog
• Plate folder with Heliostar lens and Lidex shutter at takemovies
• Advertisement for the Sirius, reproduced in this page of Takasaki Motohiro's camera site

In Korean:

• Nifca Sport at infocam.co.kr